Pre-Game Thread - San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (1 Viewer)

[jonessed]

This so feels like 1994 . I loved watching that game and the consequent fallout.

You enjoyed watching SD get destroyed by the 49ers? Aren't you a Charger fan?

I knew that was coming. I'm speaking about the media dumping on the Steelers for blowing what they had deemed a slamdunk complete with players setting up a Suberbowl dance routine .

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I think the problem isn't going to be the Chargers' offense, which will do some good things until the game gets out of hand. It's the defense. They seem to match up well with Indianapolis and nobody else. Once it his double digits, the Chargers will have to change their game plan and play right into the Steelers D.Pitt 30SD 7I really like what the SD offense is doing, but I just don't see the D being able to keep them in a grind-it-out game.

SD dont get blown out, they might lose but it will be close

I said that about Penn State going against USC in the Rose Bowl.

we are not talking big ten football here guy, try and keep up

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

I think the problem isn't going to be the Chargers' offense, which will do some good things until the game gets out of hand. It's the defense. They seem to match up well with Indianapolis and nobody else. Once it his double digits, the Chargers will have to change their game plan and play right into the Steelers D.Pitt 30SD 7I really like what the SD offense is doing, but I just don't see the D being able to keep them in a grind-it-out game.

If you're projecting a score of 30-7, you must think the problem is going to be the Chargers' offense.Or did you mean 30-27? (The Chargers haven't lost by double digits since Adrian Peterson destroyed them in week 9 of last year.)

No, I mean 30-7-- as in a close, 13-7 game for awhile until the D collapses and forces the offense to take risks they can't afford to make, which leads to good field position and potential defensive scores. With a solid D, the Chargers could win by scoring 17 points. I just think the defense will fare poorly against a non-Colts opponent.I don't think anybody is going to run up the score on the Steelers at Heinz, so a low-scoring contest is the way to win. I don't think the Chargers have the D for it, putting the O in bad situations.I admit that a reverse jinx wouldn't bother me here, but that's how I really see it, anyway.

What is it about a Steelers offense that the Chargers can't match up with compared to the Colts? Is it the weaker QB coming off a serious head injury? The swiss cheese offensive line? The perpetually injured star RB?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

What is it about a Steelers offense that the Chargers can't match up with compared to the Colts? Is it the weaker QB coming off a serious head injury? The swiss cheese offensive line? The perpetually injured star RB?

FWIW, I think the Colts are a better offensive team than the Steelers. (Maybe I'm not going out on a limb there?) The Steelers scored 11 points against the Chargers in the first matchup, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Chargers held the Steelers this week to fewer than the 17 points they gave up against the Colts last week.But overall, the Steelers are a much better team than the Colts. I thought the Chargers should have been slightly favored over the Colts on a neutral field, but I think the Steelers should be substantial favorites over either of those teams on a neutral field. And they're playing at home.

I think losing by the 23 points NBZ predicted above is extremely unlikely. Over the past five seasons, including playoffs, the Chargers have lost by 20 or more points precisely once -- to the Patriots in week two last year. That's once out of 86 games. (Conversely, they've won by 20 points or more 19 times over the same period.)

The worst thing the Steelers can hope for is any kind of blowout. The Chargers don't lose blowouts. They win blowouts and lose heartbreakers. (Over the last five years, they are 7-14 in games decided by three points or less.)

But the main point of this here post, which I'm finally getting to, is that while the Steelers aren't a better offensive team than the Colts, they are a much better overall team than the Colts. They are also a much better team than the Chargers have been this season. I thought the spread was off in the Chargers-Colts game (I thought the Chargers should have been very slight favorites on a neutral field, and at least 2.5-point favorites at home), but I think the 6-point spread in the PIT-SD game is about right -- and if I had to pick a side given that spread, I'd probably lean toward PIT.

(I also think the Ravens and Titans are both better than the Steelers. It's a tough road to the Super Bowl in the AFC.)

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Trvia note.

If we define a "blowout" as a game decided by 20 points or more, and a "close game" as a game decided by 3 points or less . . .

Over the past five years, including playoffs, the Chargers are 19-1 in blowouts and 7-14 in close games. The Steelers are 16-3 in blowouts and 11-6 in close games.

 

[Godsbrother]

What is it about a Steelers offense that the Chargers can't match up with compared to the Colts? Is it the weaker QB coming off a serious head injury? The swiss cheese offensive line? The perpetually injured star RB?

I dunno who the Chargers match up with better but the Steelers did dominate the first game (1st downs, rush yds, pass yds, 3rd down conversion, time of possession, etc.). Penalties is what did in the Steelers offense in that game.Now whether or not they can do it again without the penalties remains to be seen but I wouldn't start hating on Roethlisberger, the o-line and Parker when they did pretty well in the first meeting.And what is up with the "perpetually injured star RB" remark unless you were talking about LT2.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Good post(s), MT. I agree that the Steelers are the better team, but still anticipate a very good game.

I don't think the Ravens are a 'better' team, though I think they are every bit the Steelers equal. I do think Tennessee is better. If the Steelers get by the Chargers it will take a special effort to beat either of those two teams.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

What is it about a Steelers offense that the Chargers can't match up with compared to the Colts? Is it the weaker QB coming off a serious head injury? The swiss cheese offensive line? The perpetually injured star RB?

I dunno who the Chargers match up with better but the Steelers did dominate the first game (1st downs, rush yds, pass yds, 3rd down conversion, time of possession, etc.). Penalties is what did in the Steelers offense in that game.Now whether or not they can do it again without the penalties remains to be seen but I wouldn't start hating on Roethlisberger, the o-line and Parker when they did pretty well in the first meeting.

And what is up with the "perpetually injured star RB" remark unless you were talking about LT2.

bolded = just replace steelers with colts and that sounds exactly like the game that was just played on saturday

 

[Godsbrother]

What is it about a Steelers offense that the Chargers can't match up with compared to the Colts? Is it the weaker QB coming off a serious head injury? The swiss cheese offensive line? The perpetually injured star RB?

I dunno who the Chargers match up with better but the Steelers did dominate the first game (1st downs, rush yds, pass yds, 3rd down conversion, time of possession, etc.). Penalties is what did in the Steelers offense in that game.Now whether or not they can do it again without the penalties remains to be seen but I wouldn't start hating on Roethlisberger, the o-line and Parker when they did pretty well in the first meeting.

And what is up with the "perpetually injured star RB" remark unless you were talking about LT2.

bolded = just replace steelers with colts and that sounds exactly like the game that was just played on saturday

I hear ya -- I never said that history would repeat itself. I was just responding to the "weaker QB, swiss cheese oline, and injured RB" remark and pointing out they did pretty well the 1st time.

I fully expect this game to be a nail-biter.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

What is it about a Steelers offense that the Chargers can't match up with compared to the Colts? Is it the weaker QB coming off a serious head injury? The swiss cheese offensive line? The perpetually injured star RB?

I dunno who the Chargers match up with better but the Steelers did dominate the first game (1st downs, rush yds, pass yds, 3rd down conversion, time of possession, etc.). Penalties is what did in the Steelers offense in that game.Now whether or not they can do it again without the penalties remains to be seen but I wouldn't start hating on Roethlisberger, the o-line and Parker when they did pretty well in the first meeting.And what is up with the "perpetually injured star RB" remark unless you were talking about LT2.

I'm comparing the Colts offense to the Steelers offense. One poster seems to believe that a blowout is on the horizon because the Chargers defense can not handle the Steelers offense and simply match up well against the Colts. So what is about the Steelers offense despite being significantly statistically inferior to the Colts offense in almost every conceivable way that makes them a better match up against the Chargers?Obviously Willie Parker is the perpetually injured star RB. I'm bitter because I wasted a first round pick on him.

 

[treat88]

Field position and turnovers can make for a very lopsided game despite mediocre offensive production.

Both teams should be preaching this coming off the bus.

Scifres could be the biggest impact player in this game. It will be interesting to see how he handles the cold weather.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

To me for the chargers to win we need a few things:

1 - how effective will Sproles/Bennett be? need to keep that D honest

2 - Rivers can only have 1 TO max, preferably 0.

3 - Pressure -Put Big Ben on his back, got 4 sacks earlier in the season only got 1 vs. the colts but it was huge and peyton had to dance around quite a bit

4 - Special teams - just keep doing what your doing. even the greatest of O's have a hard time going 80+ yards on every drive.

5 - Pressure vs Rivers - I expect Pitt to put a lot of heat on Phil, lets see how he handles it a few sacks are gonna happen

Cant wiat for Sunday!!!!!

 

[Tom Servo]

I think the problem isn't going to be the Chargers' offense, which will do some good things until the game gets out of hand. It's the defense. They seem to match up well with Indianapolis and nobody else. Once it his double digits, the Chargers will have to change their game plan and play right into the Steelers D.Pitt 30SD 7I really like what the SD offense is doing, but I just don't see the D being able to keep them in a grind-it-out game.

SD dont get blown out, they might lose but it will be close

I said that about Penn State going against USC in the Rose Bowl.

we are not talking big ten football here guy, try and keep up

Umm, thanks. It was more about making predictions that anything about college football...

 

[fred_1_15301]

This so feels like 1994 . I loved watching that game and the consequent fallout.

You enjoyed watching SD get destroyed by the 49ers? Aren't you a Charger fan?

I knew that was coming. I'm speaking about the media dumping on the Steelers for blowing what they had deemed a slamdunk complete with players setting up a Suberbowl dance routine .

Link to this years Steelers superbowl dance?

 

[Godsbrother]

So what is about the Steelers offense despite being significantly statistically inferior to the Colts offense in almost every conceivable way that makes them a better match up against the Chargers?

I dunno but it is a fact that the Steelers posted better offensive numbers in their game against the Chargers than the Colts did in either of their 2 matchups with the Chargers.

 

[jonessed]

This so feels like 1994 . I loved watching that game and the consequent fallout.

You enjoyed watching SD get destroyed by the 49ers? Aren't you a Charger fan?

I knew that was coming. I'm speaking about the media dumping on the Steelers for blowing what they had deemed a slamdunk complete with players setting up a Suberbowl dance routine .

Link to this years Steelers superbowl dance?

I haven't looked. Watching Big Ben dance would scare me.

 

[fred_1_15301]

This so feels like 1994 . I loved watching that game and the consequent fallout.

You enjoyed watching SD get destroyed by the 49ers? Aren't you a Charger fan?

I knew that was coming. I'm speaking about the media dumping on the Steelers for blowing what they had deemed a slamdunk complete with players setting up a Suberbowl dance routine .

Link to this years Steelers superbowl dance?

I haven't looked. Watching Big Ben dance would scare me.

Agreed. Hopefully he's not on dancing with the stars next season......... :X . Although it wouldn't completely surprise me............

 

[thesurfshop19]

Trvia note.If we define a "blowout" as a game decided by 20 points or more, and a "close game" as a game decided by 3 points or less . . .Over the past five years, including playoffs, the Chargers are 19-1 in blowouts and 7-14 in close games. The Steelers are 16-3 in blowouts and 11-6 in close games.

Interesting, and about what I'd expected for the Chargers. This year in particular seemed almost unfairly bad for the Chargers -- and was the main reason I wasn't confident Denver could hold their division lead because they were the exact reverse this year.Out of curiosity, do you have the rest of the league handy, or did you manually compile this?I thought it might be interesting to see how these two compare to the Patriots and Colts, etc.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

This so feels like 1994 . I loved watching that game and the consequent fallout.

Such an unusual game, that. Puppunu not covered, Tony Martin mis-timing his jump and STILL catching the ball, and Pittsburgh throwing on 4th-and-goal from the three when they had two bruising runners.The stars aligned for the Chargers that day. They're a better team now (at least on offense) but I don't see it happening.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I think the problem isn't going to be the Chargers' offense, which will do some good things until the game gets out of hand. It's the defense. They seem to match up well with Indianapolis and nobody else. Once it his double digits, the Chargers will have to change their game plan and play right into the Steelers D.Pitt 30SD 7I really like what the SD offense is doing, but I just don't see the D being able to keep them in a grind-it-out game.

If you're projecting a score of 30-7, you must think the problem is going to be the Chargers' offense.Or did you mean 30-27? (The Chargers haven't lost by double digits since Adrian Peterson destroyed them in week 9 of last year.)

No, I mean 30-7-- as in a close, 13-7 game for awhile until the D collapses and forces the offense to take risks they can't afford to make, which leads to good field position and potential defensive scores. With a solid D, the Chargers could win by scoring 17 points. I just think the defense will fare poorly against a non-Colts opponent.I don't think anybody is going to run up the score on the Steelers at Heinz, so a low-scoring contest is the way to win. I don't think the Chargers have the D for it, putting the O in bad situations.I admit that a reverse jinx wouldn't bother me here, but that's how I really see it, anyway.

What is it about a Steelers offense that the Chargers can't match up with compared to the Colts? Is it the weaker QB coming off a serious head injury? The swiss cheese offensive line? The perpetually injured star RB?

It's a fair question, and on paper the answer is nothing. But on paper the Colts are better than the Chargers but can't seem to beat them. Colts-Chargers is just one of those matchups where one team is in the other's head and the Chargers win most of the time.In Pittsburgh, against a fierce defense and a QB who, albeit in ugly fashion, seems to move the ball when he has to, I see the Steelers controlling the game and scoring enough to pull away. Then the offense has to take chances, which plays into Pittsburgh's defense...and the score won't look very close.

 

[BoltBacker]

So what is about the Steelers offense despite being significantly statistically inferior to the Colts offense in almost every conceivable way that makes them a better match up against the Chargers?

I dunno but it is a fact that the Steelers posted better offensive numbers in their game against the Chargers than the Colts did in either of their 2 matchups with the Chargers.

Unless of course you're counting points as being an important offensive number. A surprising number of sharks don't seem to.

 

[Despyzer]

Unless of course you're counting points as being an important offensive number. A surprising number of sharks don't seem to.

Scoring points is a garbage stat.

 

[Evilhomer3k]

Unless of course you're counting points as being an important offensive number. A surprising number of sharks don't seem to.

Scoring points is a garbage stat.

At the end of the game it is the only stat that truly matters.

 

[CrossEyed]

So why is it that Vincent Jackson gets arrested for DUI while being on probation and there is no immediate action by the league? If you or I were on probation and got arrested for DUI we would be in jail. But apparently Jackson will be running pass routes at Heinz Field.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

So why is it that Vincent Jackson gets arrested for DUI while being on probation and there is no immediate action by the league? If you or I were on probation and got arrested for DUI we would be in jail. But apparently Jackson will be running pass routes at Heinz Field.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

So why is it that Vincent Jackson gets arrested for DUI while being on probation and there is no immediate action by the league? If you or I were on probation and got arrested for DUI we would be in jail. But apparently Jackson will be running pass routes at Heinz Field.

The league needs a conviction, not an arrest.As for why Jackson isn't in jail . . . I don't know how that stuff works. If he's currently on probation, and if he had a BAC greater than zero, he'll probably end up in jail for a bit. I don't know when.

 

[BoltBacker]

So why is it that Vincent Jackson gets arrested for DUI while being on probation and there is no immediate action by the league? If you or I were on probation and got arrested for DUI we would be in jail. But apparently Jackson will be running pass routes at Heinz Field.

I'm with you on this one.I remember there being a giant #### storm because Merriman played ONE game while he was deciding whether or not to appeal his positive roid test.This year, exact same situation with a bunch of players and week after week after week they just kept playing. Did the Williams duo in MIN ever sit down for their positive test? Did all those guys on N.O.? I think SD played N.O. in London right after after those Saints players got caught. Never heard a peep about it after that.Did any of those guys ever get suspended that week there were a bunch of positive tests?

 

[CrossEyed]

So why is it that Vincent Jackson gets arrested for DUI while being on probation and there is no immediate action by the league? If you or I were on probation and got arrested for DUI we would be in jail. But apparently Jackson will be running pass routes at Heinz Field.

This isn't about it being a Charger. If Santonio Holmes was found with another joint this week I'd feel the same way. These guys shouldn't be above the law.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

So why is it that Vincent Jackson gets arrested for DUI while being on probation and there is no immediate action by the league? If you or I were on probation and got arrested for DUI we would be in jail. But apparently Jackson will be running pass routes at Heinz Field.

This isn't about it being a Charger. If Santonio Holmes was found with another joint this week I'd feel the same way. These guys shouldn't be above the law.

The NFL is not "the law". "The law" has not charged Jackson with anything let alone convicted him of a crime.

 

[Steel Dillo]

Win or lose, I just hope there are no contraversial calls that could decide the game.

 

[Unwrittenlaw]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008...ce=NFLHeadlines

I don't think he's recovered from his injury vs CLE. It took him 3 weeks with his last concussion vs ATL.

Going to post again an interesting statistic:

Big Ben's previous games after a concussion have been terrible - small sample size but still I figured it'll still take awhile for him to recover. He was down on the field for 15 minutes.

After that ATL game in '06:

vs OAK - Within the first 10 minutes, he threw two interceptions. 301 yd 1TD 4 INT for the game

2 weeks later vs DEN - 433 yards 1 TD 3 INT

The Steelers lost both games. I like San Diego a lot.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

So why is it that Vincent Jackson gets arrested for DUI while being on probation and there is no immediate action by the league? If you or I were on probation and got arrested for DUI we would be in jail. But apparently Jackson will be running pass routes at Heinz Field.

IF you get arrested for DUI, you do your night in jail, and usually go before the judge in the morning then you go home.Usually for probation I think that is handled by your probation officer.

 

[Godsbrother]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008...ce=NFLHeadlines

I don't think he's recovered from his injury vs CLE. It took him 3 weeks with his last concussion vs ATL.

Going to post again an interesting statistic:

Big Ben's previous games after a concussion have been terrible - small sample size but still I figured it'll still take awhile for him to recover. He was down on the field for 15 minutes.

After that ATL game in '06:

vs OAK - Within the first 10 minutes, he threw two interceptions. 301 yd 1TD 4 INT for the game

2 weeks later vs DEN - 433 yards 1 TD 3 INT

The Steelers lost both games. I like San Diego a lot.

All reports are it was a very mild concussion and it happened 2 weeks ago. He is fine. If he has a bad game it will be due to a bad o-line and a good Chargers defense.

 

[Godsbrother]

Unless of course you're counting points as being an important offensive number. A surprising number of sharks don't seem to.

Scoring points is a garbage stat.

At the end of the game it is the only stat that truly matters.

Obviously. I was just showing evidence that the Steelers offense matched up pretty well against the Chargers defense since they were able to move the ball better than the Colts were able to.

 

[fred_1_15301]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008...ce=NFLHeadlines

I don't think he's recovered from his injury vs CLE. It took him 3 weeks with his last concussion vs ATL.

Going to post again an interesting statistic:

Big Ben's previous games after a concussion have been terrible - small sample size but still I figured it'll still take awhile for him to recover. He was down on the field for 15 minutes.

After that ATL game in '06:

vs OAK - Within the first 10 minutes, he threw two interceptions. 301 yd 1TD 4 INT for the game

2 weeks later vs DEN - 433 yards 1 TD 3 INT

The Steelers lost both games. I like San Diego a lot.

All reports are it was a very mild concussion and it happened 2 weeks ago. He is fine. If he has a bad game it will be due to a bad o-line and a good Chargers defense.

It is possible for him to just have a "clunker" as well. He's done it in home playoff games in the past. He better not start out the game throwing 1 or 2 awful picks.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008...ce=NFLHeadlines

I don't think he's recovered from his injury vs CLE. It took him 3 weeks with his last concussion vs ATL.

Going to post again an interesting statistic:

Big Ben's previous games after a concussion have been terrible - small sample size but still I figured it'll still take awhile for him to recover. He was down on the field for 15 minutes.

After that ATL game in '06:

vs OAK - Within the first 10 minutes, he threw two interceptions. 301 yd 1TD 4 INT for the game

2 weeks later vs DEN - 433 yards 1 TD 3 INT

The Steelers lost both games. I like San Diego a lot.

All reports are it was a very mild concussion and it happened 2 weeks ago. He is fine. If he has a bad game it will be due to a bad o-line and a good Chargers defense.

Don't underestimate the all-important GAC stat.

 

[Godsbrother]

It is possible for him to just have a "clunker" as well. He's done it in home playoff games in the past. He better not start out the game throwing 1 or 2 awful picks.

Sure. He could have a bad game -- everybody has them. I think the Steelers would be able to overcome an early turnover -- they have all year. As long as neither QB has a total meltdown it should be a good game.

 

[Gold Plated Nails]

Has anyone mentioned this

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008...tory?id=3816805

Ben's helmet is too tight now? The writer kind of makes fun of the topic, but if this is true, and I'm no doctor, but that sounds kinda scary.

 

[Godsbrother]

Has anyone mentioned this

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008...tory?id=3816805

Ben's helmet is too tight now? The writer kind of makes fun of the topic, but if this is true, and I'm no doctor, but that sounds kinda scary.

I think the world of Ben but there is ALWAYS something bothering him. He could change helmets at any time and the fact that he isn't makes me think there isn't a whole lot to the story.

 

[Evilhomer3k]

Has anyone mentioned this

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008...tory?id=3816805

Ben's helmet is too tight now? The writer kind of makes fun of the topic, but if this is true, and I'm no doctor, but that sounds kinda scary.

I think the world of Ben but there is ALWAYS something bothering him. He could change helmets at any time and the fact that he isn't makes me think there isn't a whole lot to the story.

Not sure why he wouldn't change to a helmet that protects your head from concussions better. After my third concussion I'd have to have a really good reason not to. Does it restrict his vision or something?

 

[CrossEyed]

Heard an interesting stat yesterday. In six playoff games at Heinz Field, seven touchdowns have been scored against the Steelers while the D was on the sidelines. And that doesn't include MJD's kickoff return to the one yard line last year.

I think if the Steelers can avoid that on Sunday they'll be able to take care of things.

 

[CrossEyed]

Doesn't look like weather will be a huge factor. Up to 6" of snow possible Friday night and Saturday. Sunday will be cloudy with a high in the upper 20's on Sunday. No snow, light winds.

 

[Despyzer]

Doesn't look like weather will be a huge factor.

Especially if you consider that the Chargers are 5-3 over the past three seasons in games in which the temperature at kickoff has been 42 degrees or below.

 

[CrossEyed]

Doesn't look like weather will be a huge factor.

Especially if you consider that the Chargers are 5-3 over the past three seasons in games in which the temperature at kickoff has been 42 degrees or below.

Just out of curiosity, why would you use 42 degrees as the dividing line? 42 really isn't very cold.

 

[Despyzer]

Doesn't look like weather will be a huge factor.

Especially if you consider that the Chargers are 5-3 over the past three seasons in games in which the temperature at kickoff has been 42 degrees or below.

Just out of curiosity, why would you use 42 degrees as the dividing line? 42 really isn't very cold.

My fault. I didn't use it. Kevin Acee of The Sporting News and SDTrib did. I should have attributed him in the first place.As for why, maybe that's what he felt a Southern Californian might consider cold. Maybe there weren't enough games that they have played in that were very much colder to come up with what looked like a meaningful stat. Maybe he chose a cutoff point that made the Chargers look good (but that's not really Acee's style).

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Steelers outgained SD by almost 200 yards last game and held the ball for ~36 mins to 24. I don't think the numbers will be that lopsided again, but I also think the Steelers will perform better in the red zone this time, and the penalty situation can't POSSIBLY be as lopsided as it was last go-round. The Steelers dominated that game physically, to the point that I never doubted they'd win. I remember turning the TV off and laughing at how Twilight Zone that game was. Sproles will not be that effective, IMO - the Steelers' defensive success is predicated on speed, speed, and more speed - Sproles won't find the corner as easy to gain as he did against the Colts. He'll make a couple nice plays but will spend a lot of time bottled up.

This time around, I see the Steelers doing many of the same things they did offensively last time and taking a 10-3 halftime lead. Third quarter, the Steelers extend to 13-3, the Chargers get a FG. Then Roethlisberger takes a sack and fumbles early in the 4th, leading to a qiuck SD touchdown to tie the game. Pitt is then forced to punt and SD has a chance to win teh game, but Rivers throws a bad pick which is returned deep into SD territory. A Ben to Ward TD pass makes it 20-13 late. SD has one last chance, but Rivers is sacked by Silverback and fumbles. The Steelers recover and kneel out the clock.

Pittsburgh 20

San Diego 13

 

[treat88]

Refs/flags can't be used as an excuse for wins/losses.

However looking back on that game, without the refs lopsided involvement, the score could have easily been 23-0.

It's just conjecture on the score thing, but fact is Pitt physically dominated that game

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Steelers outgained SD by almost 200 yards last game and held the ball for ~36 mins to 24. I don't think the numbers will be that lopsided again, but I also think the Steelers will perform better in the red zone this time, and the penalty situation can't POSSIBLY be as lopsided as it was last go-round. The Steelers dominated that game physically, to the point that I never doubted they'd win. I remember turning the TV off and laughing at how Twilight Zone that game was. Sproles will not be that effective, IMO - the Steelers' defensive success is predicated on speed, speed, and more speed - Sproles won't find the corner as easy to gain as he did against the Colts. He'll make a couple nice plays but will spend a lot of time bottled up.This time around, I see the Steelers doing many of the same things they did offensively last time and taking a 10-3 halftime lead. Third quarter, the Steelers extend to 13-3, the Chargers get a FG. Then Roethlisberger takes a sack and fumbles early in the 4th, leading to a qiuck SD touchdown to tie the game. Pitt is then forced to punt and SD has a chance to win teh game, but Rivers throws a bad pick which is returned deep into SD territory. A Ben to Ward TD pass makes it 20-13 late. SD has one last chance, but Rivers is sacked by Silverback and fumbles. The Steelers recover and kneel out the clock.Pittsburgh 20San Diego 13

This is almost exactly spot on -- except that Roethlisberger's third-quarter fumble will (incorrectly) be ruled an incomplete pass. No matter: Sproles will return the ensuing punt back to near the original line of scrimmage, so the result will be similar.Pittsburgh 20San Diego 13

 

[tommyGunZ]

i'm watching the Steelers/Charger matchup from earlier this year on the NFL channel now. It's amazing how many pass plays just barely missed for the Steelers in that game. If Ben is just a little bit sharper, and the receivers hold on to a couple more balls, the score would have been much different.

 

[tommyGunZ]

dirty, DIRTY helmet to helmet hit on Sproles by Foote. He should have been flagged and fined for that. Knocked Sproles' helmet off.